WICHITA, KA (May 26, 2026) |
Credit Union of America (CUA) has awarded $50,100 in Teach, Grow, and Inspire the Future (TGIF) grants to 54 Kansas educators, helping fund classroom projects that will bring new learning opportunities to students across the state.
The spring 2026 grants will support educator-led projects focused on literacy, STEM, music, art, career readiness, sensory learning, and more. Each project was proposed by a Kansas educator with a specific goal to strengthen learning, increase engagement, or create meaningful classroom experiences for students.
The spring application period drew 125 proposals from educators across Kansas. Recipients were selected through an anonymous review process conducted by a panel of CUA employees and retired educators.
Since TGIF launched in 2000, CUA has awarded grants to 1,228 Kansas teachers and contributed more than $655,000 to support classroom projects, supplies, and educational experiences. The program reflects CUA’s long-standing connection to education and its continued commitment to giving back in ways that benefit Kansas students, teachers, and communities.
2026 TGIF Grant Recipients
Wichita Public Schools
Alexis Wiseman, Hydroponics Towers, Brooks Magnet Middle School
Kelli Rappard, Making It Make Sense: A Literal Visual Aid for Reading, Christa McAuliffe Academy
Michelle Johnson, Real-Time Demonstration Tech for Active Learning, Cloud Elementary School
Laurell Aschbrenner, Bringing Coding to Life, College Hill Elementary School
Stephanie Sperger, Clay for All, Dodge Literacy Magnet School
Elizabeth Brawner, Woven Voices and Dreams - Creating Spaces for Confident Readers and Writers, East High School
Joan Karrer, Home-Based Kitchen Labs to Culinary Hub, East High School
Kyle Broadfoot, Seeding and Cultivation Equipment, East High School
Mark Brooks, Science Olympiad, East High School
Rachael Wise, Supporting Special Education Students with Enriched ELA Materials, East High School
Shanna Zimmerman, Expanding Access to Digital Media Tools for Student Marketers, East High School
Lakeshia Brooks, Family Engagement Workshop for Virtual Student Success, Education Imagine Academy
Aurora Juarez, Sensory-Emotion Focused Safe Place for Students, Gateway Alternative School
Abigail Bryant, Removing Barriers to Success in Music Education, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet School
Tristin Woods, Outdoor Classroom Renovation, Lawrence Elementary School
Karen Struble, Literacy Through Graphic Novels, Marshall Middle School
Gina Gieser, Illuminating Photo History - DIY UV Light Boxes for Alternative Processes, Northeast Magnet School
Julie Riedel, Project 7: Finding Your Visual Voice, Southeast High School
Heather Probasco, Family Game Events, Stucky Middle School
Dave VanMetre, Nets and Paddles, Wilbur Middle School
Jessica Amir, Sounds of Success, Wilbur Middle School
Tracey Smith, Enhancing STEM Through 3D Printing, Wilbur Middle School
Wichita Private Schools
Darnell Hamilton, Stronger Together: Building a Culture of Movement and Collaboration, Holy Savior Catholic Academy
Steve Smith, Engineering in Action, Trinity Academy
Samuel Amburgey, Get Moving, Wichita Montessori School
Community Markets
Kacy Bookout, Stay Gold Across Generations, Andover Middle School, Andover
Debbie Standerfer, Boost Self-Esteem - Hair Confidence Group, IXL Elementary School, Arkansas City
Angela Addis, Innovation Lab - Expanding Creativity, Career Skills, and Access Through Digital Fabrication, Derby Middle School, Derby
Beverly Nowak, Design Tools for Young Designers, Derby Middle School, Derby
Dawn Riebl, Typing for Employability, Derby North Middle School, Derby
Catrina McGurk, Advanced Phonics to Improve Reading, Fort Larned Elementary School, Fort Larned
Jacqui Odell, Building Foundational Literacy Through Structured, Multi-Sensory Reading Instruction, Garnett Elementary School, Garnett
Brandi Brown, The Inclusive Kitchen, Amelia Earhart Elementary School, Goddard
Nicole Cota, Intervention Kits, Clarke Davidson Elementary School, Goddard
Alison Jack, Multimodal Learning with Wonderbooks, Eisenhower Middle School, Goddard
Neal Zoglemann, Big Sounds for Theatre, Goddard Middle School, Goddard
Shanda Miller, Structured Sensory Regulation Room - Inclusion Zones for Movement, Calm, and Focus, Oak Street Elementary School, Goddard
Travis Straub, Mass Production Cabinet, Great Bend High School, Great Bend
Jalaynna Leonhardt, Books After the Bell, Haven Grade School, Haven
Shanell Drago, Forensic Kits for Law Enforcement Class, Campus High School, Haysville
Tennile Sacquitne, PBIS 3D Printer, Haysville Middle School, Haysville
Emily Carlson, Starting Off on the Right Note - Helping Students Prepare for Beginning Band, Oatville Elementary School, Haysville
Halle Rico, Field Day, Lincoln McCandless Elementary School, Hutchinson
Melissa Turner, Building Independence Through a Functional Classroom, Pray-Woodman Elementary School, Maize
Brandi McWilliams, Writing to Learn - Strengthening Literacy Through K-5 Writing Instruction, McPherson USD 418, McPherson
Emily Zepeda, Creating Our Ideal Classroom, Mulvane USD 263, Mulvane
Jeffrey Poort, Band Instrument Repair Kit, Pratt High School, Pratt
Diane House, Indoor Recess Rolling Cart of Fun, Skyline Elementary School, Pratt
Joyce Temanson, Listening Center, Skyline Elementary School, Pratt
Anita DeWeese, Advancing STEM Learning Through Food Science, Skyline High School, Pratt
Oakley Stephens, Little Listeners Literacy Lounge, Southwest Elementary School, Pratt
Nicole Ferguson, Increasing Engagement in 5th and 6th Grade, R.L. Wright Elementary School, Sedgwick
Cheri Haskett, Conversation Cart - Building Positive School Culture One Interaction at a Time, Stafford High School, Stafford
Ryan Jones, From Design to Distribution: A Student-Led School Merchandise & Marketing Program, Valley Center Middle School, Valley Center
Additional information about each winning project is available upon request.
More details about TGIF grants, including how to apply for the next round of funding, can be found at CUofAmerica.com/TGIF.
